Mustangs pick up wins over 2B foes

The Malta Mustangs basketball team picked up a few wins last week, defeating Wolf Point last Tuesday, February 9, then Poplar on Friday, February 12, and lastly, Harlem in Harlem on Saturday, February 13.

In Malta's win over Harlem, senior Kooper Oxarart scored a career high of 38 points, 25 of which came in the first half of the game.

Oxarart, and fellow senior Pierce Mortenson, were honored prior to the Poplar game for Malta High School's senior night. The Mustangs were able to celebrate with a 65-44 win over the Poplar Indians.

"It was fun," Oxarart said of senior night. "I got to see my family. It was an emotional time because it was one of my last games at Malta High School, and I just don't want it to be over."

Mortenson also thought the event was fun.

"It was good to get recognized for something, but it was good to get grandpa out here and have everyone's family show up to everything."

In the win over Poplar, the Mustangs were led by Rex Williamson who had 20 points, Connor Tuss had 18 points, Kooper Oxarart had eight points, and Kaden Bishop had six points.

Malta's defense shined in the first quarter, only giving up four points, while offensively the team scored 14. Team's continued to trade buckets throughout the rest of the game; Malta had 18 in the second, while Poplar had 14. Malta outscored Poplar 19-13 in the third quarter and 14-13 in the fourth quarter.

"Defense was key," Oxarart said. "Poplar can shoot the lights out if they want, but we were just playing them really hard."

In Malta's 77-54 win over Harlem, Oxarart was 7-of-10 from the three point line, on his way to 38 points. He also made three of his four free throw attempts.

Williamson added 17 points in the win and Tuss had 12.

In Malta's 65-56 win over Wolf Point, Tuss led Malta with 23 points, Oxarart had 18 points, Williamson had 12 points and Mortenson had 12 points.

Malta outscored Wolf Point 19-11 in the first, and then 20-8 in the second quarter. The Wolves made a last push in the fourth quarter, outsourcing Malta 23-12, but the team could not overcome Malta's early lead.

Malta was scheduled to face the Havre Blue Ponies in Malta on Friday, February 19, but the game was CANCELLED.

The Mustangs are still scheduled to play the Wolf Point Wolves in Wolf Point on Saturday, February 20.

The District 2B Tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday, February 25, and to conclude on Saturday, February 27. The Mustangs will compete in Wolf Point, and the M-ettes will be in Poplar.